Fiat 500 C Topolino

The story of Fiat and the small car began in 1933, when Dante Giocosa, a 28-year-old engineer and designer of special and military vehicles, accepted an offer from Senator Agnelli to design a small and economical vehicle. The car was to cost the buyer just 5,000 lire - today that would be around CHF 2.50.

“The project was christened ”Zero A“, with the ”A“ standing for ”Aviazione" and underlining Giacosa's passion for aviation. After just one year of development, the first prototype was ready to drive. The car was tested in Lingotto, where Fiat had built a five-storey factory for the first small car. The test track was located on the roof of the building.

After two years of driving around on the roof in Lingotto, the car was ready for the market and the smallest car in the world was presented to the public. The way was paved for a tradition that continues to this day and, because of its engine capacity, the car was presented simply as the “500”. The figures: 3.21 meters in length, 535 kilograms in weight and a four-cylinder in-line engine with 569 cubic centimeters, which mobilized 13 hp at 4,000 revolutions.

The first Fiat 500 reached a top speed of 85 km/h and had four forward gears and one reverse gear. The small car had modern independent suspension, sliding side windows and enough space for parents with children or luggage. The car was very popular with Italians and because of its appealing appearance, the general public called it the „Topolino“, which translates as "little mouse".

The first version was followed by slightly improved and visually adapted models with the names Fiat 500 B and, from 1949, Fiat 500 C. The 500 C had „American“ bumpers and a simple heating system. The car was built until 1955 and a total of 367,370 units rolled off the production line.